Machine for breaking and separating cocoa beans



Jan. 13, 1931. s. BRAMLEY-MOORE 1,738,683

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SEPARATING COCQA BEANS Filed June 27, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l Jan'. 13, 1931. s. BRAMLEY-MOORE 1,

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SEPARATING COCOA BEANS Filed June 27, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I/Illid? 25 'ing from the spirit ofthe invention 11 topermit the escapeof air.

Pet litedilan. '13,}1931] SWINFEEBRAMLEY-MOQRE; orfi'rrmmernhms,"NEW-r031:

" L MAo I rE r03 shrjAiir-iieeein SEBABA TIEQCQCEJ A geiu iis Thepresent inventioii relates to iiieohiii'es" 'foi' breeking cocoa beansand the like and by removing thesheiis endgerms thereirom, v and aims toprovide a novel and improved 5 ii zichiiie 'efthatfkind' which willoperate ef- ".itiis the'obgectei the invent on toproi ide breakingandseparatingmachine ife'r cocoa beans, and the l1ke5 having; novelmeans "for 1o breaking the'bez ns,hovel means for separating the shellsfrom thenibs or broken fragthe View, which will be apparent zisthedescrip- Y 20 tio'n'proceedsfthe invention resides in the constructionand -,arrange1nent of parts, as hereinafter described-and claimed, itbeing 7 understbodth'at changes Gen be made Within the scope of What isclaimed, Without de'pert- The invention is illustrated inpenyingdra-Wihgs; Where'in' r i Fgure lis a ertical median section ofthe machine/F] 30' Fig. 2=is a section on the line -22 of Fig, 3 iseflsectiohal detail illustrating a .hiodificaitiohI Q =1 The machine ismounted on" a suitable the accomfreme or stand 1 lizivingtheupperVertical beariiig 2 a surrounding annular? germ trough 8 provided withthe'outer 'upstahd ing riin' on which is seated andfsecured V the floweroutstanding flange 5 of -a casing sectioh 6. Anupper casing section? isse- 7 curedon the cesingsection 6,:andeshe11 r 'huskreceptacle 8isiseatedlori the section 7 and has a removable eover 9 e j Y The bottomofthe'receptacie'S has an up- *ste-hdiiigbone 10 open at the apex; and thexiwall'iarid'top or coifer'of the receptacle 8 may have'one or morescreened openings or ports -A' cone 12jisc1amped at its lower end between'the' casingsectio'ns 6 and 7 and is open we; Ses e 3 63- 1;

at'its ajpe'g'endtheupperfend efthe cone l o fits overtheheck ofthei'con'e'l2. The're'ceptec ie 8 may ,be *removabie from the casingsection 7' and cone 12- to perniitj convenient cepteele at intervals, H

Thejcrushing-or breaking means comprises -a 'stato-r and aroterhziving'cooperehle brea kfing elements t eff i The stator has theconcentric cyiindrical 6o :rihg'silS, ljifand 15 which are" preferablyduihpingof the shells or'husks from the ire- 55 Y cast integralwith'one'another and With'the casing" section "6; whlch forms part ofthestetoryby-the. spider arms 16 uniting them; Seidringslfi, 14,15! and 6are arrangedin 265 conical formation, therings being spaced spartradielly' and being arrangedt fldif fere theiglrits.

IV A cone 17, forming part ofthe steton lis seated ar dsecilled on the,iipper sn' aiier ring 7 and a feed tube 18 extends downwardly f throughthe cone 17 for feeding the cocoa [been or other e'rticlesiilitotheinechine so its te pess betweeh th'e 'ro'tor and stator. iThel'roi'or COIHPXIiF-JQSHH upper cone 19 with izi the cone 1?end-rihg113 end having an outstanding horizc-iit'sl' flange or annulartable 0- Q111 i i M v The 'rotorials'o' inciudes it casting orinember2lhavingthe vertically spaced horizoritel an mlartables22,23; 24;and 25 united by the/columns 26" which rise from a. base *ring 7Q'Ythatis secured'one neck 28: slideble veirti qcailyzwithin e-tubularshaftQSjournalediin V 5 thebeering 2-0f-the frame 01- stand 1; Agearwheel- 3 1 secured on the lower endof the shaft29 mesheslwith a, pinion32 on a drive sheftfidfto furnish power for the rotor, the V.neck28hevingerkey orfeather 3O engaging "the, shaft 29't0: rotate therotorv iwith said 1% shaft and permit of vertical -mOVeme nt [of therotor; The rotorfisnormally raised by? a spring confined'betwemtheneckQSfehd sheft 29f cene 11 9 hind works Within the lower end oftheltube lS'fQr agitating the beans so that they Will discharge from thetube andiroll c dewnthecoiie 19; Theefiow'ef the beans may Anecceiitricagitator 35' is mountedfen the tube 18 difierent distances above thecone 19.

Breaking fingers or members 36 are secured within the cone 17above thetable 20, and cooperating plates 37 are secured on the table 20 to moveunder the fingers 36 so that the beans passing outwardly between thefingers36 and plates 37 will be broken into 25, and cooperating plates40, 40a, and 41 are secured on said tables to move under said fingersfor breaking the nibsintosma'ller pieces in succession. 1

The space or slot between the marginal portion of the table 23 and thelower edge of the ring 14 is slightly narrower than the space betweenthe ring 13 and table 20, requiring the nibs to be broken into smallerpieces before they can pass down between the ring 14 and table 23, andthe spaces or slots between the edges of the tables 24, 25

and the rings 15, 6, respectively,.are still of less widths insuccession so as to require further breaking of the nibs before they candrop down across the edges of. the tables 24 and 25. Y .Thus, as thenibs drop from one table to i the next they are broken intosmallerpieces.

A blast or stream of air under pressure is delivered through the pipe 42into the shaft 29 to pass upwardly through the neck 28 of the rotor andthence outwardly between the tables 22, 2 3, 24 and '25, therebyassisting centrifugal action in moving the nibs out-. wardly against therings between the-breaking elements; The air'passing'between the tablesand upwardly between the rings, as indicated by thearows, willalso'carry with it the shells, dust and other lighter particles.

The air asses uiwardl between the cones P 12 and 17 and intothereceptacle 8 where the shells, dust and other foreign matter arecaught. I

In order to prevent the'air from passing upwardly intoand through thetube .18, the

table or disk 22 has fan blades 43 thereon 'movi ngun(ler;the.ring'13,'so thatby centrifngal action air is drawn downthrough the tube 18 forced outwardly between the ring 13 and'table 22,thereby opposing the upward flow of air between the rings 13 and 14.Thering 13 has'an'annular inclined surface 44 below=tl1e table 40 forsheddingthe broken beans onto the table 22 at the inner ends of heblades 43 to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, assisted by thedownsaid spaces or clearances.

ward flow of air from the tube 18 between the ring 13 and table 22. '7

The'means for separating the nibs and .germs is located above the trough3 and includes a rotor and a stator.

The rotor of the separatorcomprises the horizontal table or disk 45secured to the base ring 27 of the breakerrotor, and hav- Qing annularslots forming the annular rings 46 of the table. The rings 46 aresupported by arms 47 at the lower surface of the table 45. Y The table45 has a flared apron 48 over-- hanging the innerwallof the trough 3 sothat the germs are shed into the trough.

' One arm 47 carries a scraper blade or flap 49 which works in'thetrough 3 to move the germs around the trough to a discharge openingv 50leading downwardly from the bottom of the trough. a

The separator stator comprises rings 51 secured under the flange 5, andhaving the alternate depending annular baflies'56 and 58. r The bafiie-s56 extend down into the slots 7 I of the table 45 and have openings57above the plane of the table 45, while the baflles'58 are located abovethe rings 46 and are spaced therefrom. The openings 57 have their loweredges spacedabove the plane of the table 45.

The spaces or clearances between the baflies 56 and the edges of theslots of the table are such as to permit the germs to pass down throughsaid slots, whichalso applies to the space or clearance between theouter ring 46 and the wall orrim 4 of the trough ,3, so that the germsmay drop into the trough 3, while the nibs cannot-pass down through Anannular apron52 is supported from the table 25 and haslower outturnedflange 53 on which are provided fan blades 54, similar to the blades 43,for creating, bycentrifugal action, the flow of aii' outwardly above therings 46. The blades 54 move under the inner ring 51, which hasitsrupper surface sloping, as at 55, to direct the nibs andgerms whichfall over the edge of the table 25, to

the apron 52 -andflange 53 from which the nibs and germs'are thrown bycentrifugal force and the air current to the separating means.

Air is alsovdelivered from the central blast under the table 25 andoutwardly between the flange 53' and table45.

vThe wall or rim 4 of the trough 3 hasja nib outlet 59 above the planeof the table 45.

. A separating chamber 60 is securedto the trough rim 4 to receive thenibs from the outlet 49, and said chamber has a depending spout 61through which the nibs drop into a suitable receiver. Said chamber hasan upstandingport-ion 62 normally closed by a cap 63,and when'said capis removed the chamber 60 will take care of an overloading of themachine. a

Thus, if the machine is-overloaded so that theshells and dust are notall blown intov the cocoa beans, and ,Whiohi if they'reinain in'themachine would damage thei brealiing elements and other portions; :Whenstones are present n the machinethey; are made manifest by the excessivenoise-produced by the swirling COIllJfiCt g'Of the stones 'yvith the"metal-parts.v The-feeding of the beans into the .lnachin e5 is thenishnt off andythei machine is operated unmet empties; itself of; nib s;

shell and germsfleavingthe stones isolated "and swirling on the tables.Therotor isthen depressechv Which is; permitted by the yielch ing"snpport of the 'rotor by the springs 34, the nefek. 28 moving downwardlyin the sleeve shzlftf29; The tables 22,23 and 24am thereby moved awayfrom; the lower edgesot' the rings 13, 1% and; 15,-respectively thetable;

is'moved downwardly .to registerwith an annular groove ,66v in-the ring13 to provide snfiieient clearance for: the passage of. the stones; thetable 25 is similarly moved downwardly to register with 22111 annulargroove 67 in. the ring; 6 to providea similarolealh anoe; the, flange'.53 is; movecl'clownwarclly gaway fromthecorresponding ring 51; and

the table is; moved i downwardly from the baffles v56, so that-thestones. may dropv clown froinonetable to the next-through the in;

creasedolearancesyor spaces proviclecl, and

the-stones. will pass down-into the trough 3 and out through the outlet.50.- To permitoi the a downward movement 1 of' the irotorg the member 49shoulclbe afiexible'flapof leather,

rubber, or; similarv material.

., ,Thef rbtonmhy. be depressed by able; meansJfAs: show-n, a vWire -6l;ententls upwardly withlncthe; central a r inletrvpassage, and isconnected by a swivel, a 6.5 .With

the member 21, so thatithe Wire may be drawn 7 downwardly by g suitableleyer or, other tlevice (not shown);

shutting off the supply of coeoa'beans'into the machine, and fordepressingthe. rotor to permit the stonesanclpebbles to spass out.

v {Fig.;-3 illustrates, a modification in that v the neok 28fof-therotoris journaleclas a tubular shaftfin the bearin O anclhaslthe gearWheel31, [secured thereonmeshing with thepinionSQ on thedriye shaft 33,and the air blast pipe42 ;iextenclsnpwartlly into the ported bythespring 34, 'althonghthespring may be omitted in some instances. The gearlwheel 31 and pinion 32 havehelical teeth.

.Thespiral or. helical teeth of the'pinion exert an axialthrust on theteeth ofthe I or getting ridi of stones or pebbles which may enterthemach ne with thence between tlie,ri'ng 15 and table 24,

Any suitable arrangementmay be used-for vWheel 31 y when the loa cl isonQgso as to; raise the rotor. to 3 its working position, the spring i34L being used as an auxiliary in the eventf that-theweightofrtherotorisexoessive'as Compared with the power-being transmitted.TVhen the power is shut elf sothat the Dea chine slows clownythefrotorwill gradually gravitate thereby automatically dischargin};nailsgstones'ancl iother unbreakable gobeots; anelzas soon as thepowenmpnt on. aga1n therotor will be l fted to its normalworkinglposition.

The'operation of-themaehine isapparent fromithe foregoing; but brieflydescribed as follo'wspThe beans pass down-the tube] 18- or areotherwise. delivered into the machine,

and are given theirinitial breakingqup be tween" the breaker elements 36and .37. The .brokenf pieces" pass downfbetween the table 1 20am ring213*to' the table-I22 fromf which they are thrown outwardly against thering 1 ancld'rop -(loWn"onto thetableg23. The

that the l air blast entering, through the pipe 421-Willnot impede thedelivery of beans jinto 'the -ina ohine and thefi'owof broken pieces;

from; the initial breakersnto tliejsucoessiye breakers. The nibsare'further broken upbetWeen't-he second set ofbreakers'BS, 40;ancl

passbetween the'ring llfan'cl table 23 and to be fnrtherj broken up bythe'fonrth setof breakers39, ll; The stream of air passing I upwardlyoyer thetablesflf'l', 2 and 25and upwardly around "the rings 18; lianel. 15,

will eearrye'withit' the shells, (lust and other lighter foreignmatter,;to discharge same into the receptacle ,8 froni-yhichthey may besubsequently removeelgat intervals.

a The nibs anclgerms illhell drop fromi the table :2 5fancl are thrownby centritfilg-al force and air draft into and through the, nib and germseparator. {The nibs are compelled to umpy-through the openings 57;,of'the baflies 56 and to pass under the baflie's 5.8, as shown and thebaifies 56 y and trough rim 411 "The blade orflap 49111oves'thegermsaronnd the trough to the'outlet 50. 7 Y r tata-ble relatively tooneanether anrl'haying a space'therebetween, the ring having break mgelements extendinginwardly-over theta- Haying th ns described theinvention, What ,is claimecl'asneWis:

'lgA maehine of the charact eijclescribed comprising a cylindrical ringanclatableroby hGTZL-IIOWS lH Fig. 1, and the nibsoannot l pass downbelow the table t soithat-x-they pass out through the-openings 591,"lhev germs l Y are arrested; by the battles and d'rop clown through;the clearances between the table 4 5 bleyancli the table haingcooperable break-y ing elements movable under the aforesaid elements.

2;A maehine oftheloharaoter described a predetermined distance from thering for the passage of brokenarticles between them,

said ring having breaking elementsextending inwardly over the table, andthe table having cooperable breaking elements movable under theaforesaid elements.

' 3. A machine-of the character described comprising. a cylindrical ringandva table rotatable relatively to one anotherand having a spacetherebetween, the ring having breaking elements extending inwardly overthe table, and the table having cooperable breaking elements movableunder the afore' said elements, and means {for delivering a blast of airover said table to carry oil shells and lighter particles. r

l. A machine of the character described comprising a series ofcylindrical rings and a series of tables cooperable therewith androtatable relatively thereto, with decreasing spaces between thesuccessive ringsand tables, said rings and tables being arranged so thattheparticles pass from one table move to the next table, the rin shaving breaking elements extending inwardly over the correspondingtables, and the tables having cooperable breaking elements movableunderthe aforesaid elements.

*5.- A machine of the character described comprising a series ofcylindrical rings and a se'ies of tables cooperable therewith androtatable relatively theretmwith decreasing spaces between thesuccessive rings and tables, said rings and tables being arranged sothat the particles pass from one table move to the next table, saidtables being spaced apart, and means for directing a blast of air topass outwardly over said tables and upwardly between said rings, therings having 7 breaking elements extending inwardly over the tables, andthe. tables having'cooperable breaking elements movable under theaforesaid-breaking elements.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a series ofconcentric rings in conical arrangement, and vertically spaced tablesmounted for rotation and having their edges cooperable with and spacedfrom the rings to provide clearances of decreasing sizes in successiondownwardly, the rings having breaking elements extending inwardly overthe tables, and the tables having cooperable breaking elements movable.under the aforesaid breaking elements '7. A machine of the characterdescribed compr sing a series of concentric. rings in conicalarrangement, and vertically spaced tables mounted-tor rotation andhaving their edges cooperable with and spaced from the rings to provideclearances of decreasing sizes in succession downwardly, said ringshavingbreaking elements extending inwardly over the tables, thetableshaving cooperable breaking elements movable under the through.

aforesaid breaking elements,said tables having centralopenings, andmeans for directing a blast of air into said openings-to pass over saidtables. r

8. A machine of the character described comprising a series'ofconcentric rings in conical arrangement, and vertically spaced tablesmounted for rotation and having their edges cooperable with and spacedfrom the rings to provide clearances of decreasingsizesinsuccession"downwardly, said tables and rings having cooperable breakingelements, means for directing a blast of air. centrally of said tablesto pass outwardly over the-tables and upwardly between said rings, aco'ne'over said rings, and a receptacle having an upstanding conetherein fitted over the firstnamed' cone for'catching shells and lighterparticles.

,' 9. A machine of the character described comprising a cylindrical ringand a table rotatable relatively to one another and having a spacetherebetw'een and co operablebreaking elements, said ring and tablebeing separable to permit stones and the like to pass 10: A machine ofthe character described comprising a series of rings, a rotor having aseries of tables cooperable with said rings, sa id rings and tablesbeing spaced apart with decreasingclearances in V succession, and meanstor mountingthe rotor for vertical movement to permit separation of thetables from said rings for thepassage therebetween of stones and thelike. I

11. A machine oft-he character described comprising a series of rings, aseries of rotary tables'spaced decreasing distances in succession fromthe rings, said rings and tables having cooperableibreaking elements,means i for delivering'articlesto the uppermost table, 'meansfordirecting a blast of air to pass outwardly over lower tables, and fanblades carried byone table to create a blast of air away from saiduppermost table.

12.'A machine of the character describe I comprising a. rotatableannularly-slotted table, baflles above and cooperable with said table topermit germs of broken, cocoa'beans or the like to pass downwardlythrough said slots, and means for delivering a blast of air to passoutwardlyoversaid table and past said battles to carry the nibs pastthebafiles.

13. In a machine-of the character described a germ and nib separatorcomprising a rotatable table having an' annular slot, an annular bafiledepending'in said slot to permit germs of broken cocoa beans'orthe liketo drop through said slot, said baflle'having openings above the tablefor the'passage of the nibs, and means for supplying a blast of airoutwardly over said table.

14; In a machine of the character describeda separator for the germs andnibs of broken cocoabeans or the like, comprising a rotary table havingannularslotsldefining rings, de- '3 j pending annular loaffles abovesaidlrings.

other depending annular baifies entering said slots to prevent the nibspassing though said 1 A slots "and permitting" the germslto passthroughythe. second named baflies having openings above the table, andmeans forcreating an outward blast of air over said table.

15. In a machine of the character described; e a separator forigermsiandnibs' of broken o Y cocoa beans or the like, comprising a,rotary theftable;

I annularly-s'lotted table, means for directing a blast ofair-outwardly, over said table, and

battles cooperable with 'saidtable to permit:

the germs and not the'nibs to pass through,

16. In a machine'ofthe character described a separator for the germs andnibs otbroken cocoa beans and the like, comprising a rotary tablehaviiigannularslots, means for direct-V ing a. blast of air outwardly oversaidtable to carry the'nibs germs with it, and baf-* fies cooperablewith said tableto permit germs and not the nibs to pass, through saidslotsandrequiring.the nibsto move upwardly V l from the tableinpassi'ngover the slots and downwardly between the slots; r

17. A maehlne for breaking cocoa beans air passages for the removal ofthe shellsfrom the nibs orbroken bean fragments, said stator androtorhaving other cooperable portions'to receive said nihs and arrange forseparating thegerms and nilos.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiixmy I signature.

'SWINFEN'BRAMLEYMQQRE 1

